"What?" shouted Dick, starting forward. "Say that again." "Say it again!" shrieked Fred, who was now mad with rage: "I say two two hundreds were sent by an old relative in Australia for you and him, and he kept them both." "It's a lie--a base lie!" cried Max, foaming at the mouth. "Oh, Max, Max, Max," said Dick sadly, "and when I was close to starving!" "It's a lie, I say!" "It's the truth, you pitiful scoundrel!" said old Hopper. "But I made you disgorge some of it again, and sent it into the right channel." "What, you turn against me, too!" said Max, with a groan. "I say it's a lie--a conspiracy. No money was sent: there was no uncle to send it." "No?" said Hopper quietly. "Well, I can prove it all; for I sent the money, for the sake of Dick here, and to try you both." "I tell you it's a lie!" stammered Max, foaming at the mouth. "You've got to prove it one," said Fred carelessly. "Come along, constable--let's be off. Here's my last half-crown. I'll go in a cab." "Stop!" cried Dick excitedly. "I won't have it. I forgive Max. I forgive Fred here. I've plenty of money, constable. Can't it be squared? I'll--I'll pay the reward. Cash down." "No, sir," said the constable; "not if you doubled it." "But I will double it," cried Dick. "Hold hard, uncle," said Fred, smiling. "It's no go. But you always were a trump--always. Thank you for it! Sorry I've disgraced you. Tom, old man, it's all right. Uncle, it's all right about your little girl here. I came to-night, and she admitted me, thinking it was Tom; and as soon as I was inside I told her the police were after me, unless she could help me to escape. There's the bag inside, with her purse and the jewels she gave me to sell, watch and chain, and the rest of it; for I was off across the herring-pond if I could get away. Fetch it out." Tom ran into Jessie's room, and brought out a little travelling bag which lay beneath the open window. "I didn't like to jump it," said Fred, laughing. "It was too high: but I should try if I had another chance." "Fred--brother!" cried Tom passionately, as he held out his hand; and Fred seized it for a moment, and then flung it away. "No, Tom; let me be: I've always been a bad one. As for you, Jessie-- God bless you! you were a little trump. I told her it would disgrace you all, and poor Tom, if I was taken; and she told a lie to save me. Good-bye, little woman!" he said, holding out his hand. Jessie ran forward and took it, and he tried to speak in a light, cavalier manner; but his voice faltered, and he had to make an effort to keep from breaking down. "Good-bye, Fred," said Tom, stepping before him, as if to shake hands. Then, forcing the little bag into his grasp, he whispered, "Run for it, lad--the window. I'll cover you--run." As he spoke, he gave his brother a push into the bedroom, and then faced round with clenched fists. For a moment the men were paralysed, but the next they flung themselves on Tom.